Seeing and hearing Igor Stravinsky’s ballet Le Sacre du printemps, The Rite of Spring, at the Mariinsky II with Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra was a once in a lifetime experience. In celebration of the centennial of the piece, choreographer Sasha Waltz created a new, modern production

Seeing and hearing Igor Stravinsky’s ballet Le Sacre du printemps, The Rite of Spring, at the Mariinsky II with Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra was a once in a lifetime experience. In celebration of the centennial of the piece, choreographer Sasha Waltz created a new, modern production of the ballet to accompany the original score.

The dancers entered in simple, neutral-colored costumes, surrounding a pile of ash in the middle of the stage. Throughout the performance, dancers passed through the pile, exiting on all directions, creating a design like a sun across the floor. The dancing was elegant, emotional, and appropriate in its own way to Stravinsky’s intentions.

Unique from other productions of The Rite of Spring, Sasha Waltz’s choreography expanded the caesuras/pauses in the music to have full minutes of movement accompanied by silence. It drew the audience away from the orchestra momentarily, and towards the intricate details of the movements on the stage. The dancers would often move heavily across the stage so that their steps were audible and in rhythm with the orchestra; in the beauty of the Mariinksy II, every audience member was surrounded with the sound and emotion of both dancers and musicians, especially in these moments. Sasha Waltz was quoted as saying, “In my productions everything is free – the music and the dancers.” Since it was the first time I had seen a ballet live, any future ballet performance for me will have a lot to live up to!

In 2004, Northwestern University Professor Emeritus Irwin Weil, and Marina Kaul of the Russian State University for the Humanities, saw a dream come true: the founding of an American Studies program at the university in Moscow. Professor Weil, who has devoted much of his career to promoting cultural exchange

In 2004, Northwestern University Professor Emeritus Irwin Weil, and Marina Kaul of the Russian State University for the Humanities, saw a dream come true: the founding of an American Studies program at the university in Moscow. Professor Weil, who has devoted much of his career to promoting cultural exchange with the people of Russia, was especially excited about introducing us Northwestern University students to students at RSUH.

We arrived fairly early, before most of the classes had started, which afforded time to get to know Marina. Walking into her office, we were surprised and charmed to see a portrait of Professor Weil with his guitar; next to that was an article praising the “Moscow Knight.” Lining the shelves of the room were popular American movies and books.

Just before midday we were able to meet some of the students studying hospitality, museumology, and tourism. All five spoke English very well, and we spent about an hour getting to know them. We asked them about their career goals, and about the Mariinsky Orchestra, which is known to be one of the best in Russia. Afterward, they took us on a tour of their school.

Each floor of the school has an art and sculpture gallery filled with replicas of ancient greek, roman, egyptian, and mesopotamian art. Olga, one of the students, pulled us into one room with excitement, and a special sparkle in her eye. She explained to us that this was her favorite room, the only one displaying original art. This gallery was dedicated to underground Soviet art from 1970s and 1980s. We felt honored to see such a remarkable piece of Russian history.

Eventually, we were all shepherded to the cafeteria for a late lunch. Walking back, I was excited to see Nina, one of the Russian-American Studies students who had come to Chicago last winter.

I was grateful to have met these remarkable students. I really enjoyed getting to know some Russian people my own age, and talking about art and culture with them.

One of the most memorable exhibits we saw on our trip was inside the Mariinsky II. Throughout the new theater, original and revival costumes from famous opera and ballet performances were displayed from the Mariinsky Theatre Archives. It was a beautiful way to celebrate their colorful and dramatic history. Click more to keep reading and see the gallery of images.

One of the most memorable exhibits we saw on our trip was inside the Mariinsky II.

Throughout the new theater, original and revival costumes from famous opera and ballet performances were displayed from the Mariinsky Theatre Archives. It was a beautiful way to celebrate their colorful and dramatic history.

Coming out of the theater after The Rite of Spring, the sun had not yet gone down and two of my travel companions, Northwestern University students, Bridget and Keryn were inspired to dance along the canal.

The more we walked the streets of St. Petersburg, the more we understood the colors and artistic choices of the new Mariinsky II.

Prima Ballerina, Maya Plitseskaya was watching from the back box while Diana Vishneva danced this role in one of the opening concerts of the Mariinsky ll.

Raul congratulating Diana Vishneva

Raul Barreneche, architecture writer and balletomane, was at the opening performances of the new Mariinsky Theatre at the beginning of May. He went backstage at the Metropolitan Opera to meet La Vishneva after she danced in ABT’s production of Eugene Onegin (more Russian/St. Petersburg connection!) and Diana said it was “a dream come true” to dance Bolero in the new Mariinsky, with Maya Plitseskaya watching…

When my fellow Northwestern University students, Keryn, Zack, and I (Bridget Rodino) arrived in Moscow, we were greeted by some familiar faces, which included Cydne, Matt, Professor Weil, and his wife, Vivian Weil. Alas, Matt Honegger’s trip was nearing its end. I had never been out of the United States, so Matt had a lot of great suggestions and advice.

When my fellow Northwestern University students, Keryn, Zack, and I (Bridget Rodino) arrived in Moscow, we were greeted by some familiar faces, which included Cydne, Matt, Professor Weil, and his wife, Vivian Weil. Alas, Matt Honegger’s trip was nearing its end. I had never been out of the United States, so Matt had a lot of great suggestions and advice. One of his best pieces of advice was to “approach as many situations as possible with a sense of humor.” It made being in a foreign country easier to adapt to. With our small knowledge of Cyrillic, Matt quizzed us on the various portraits of composers that line the inside walls of Tchaikovsky Hall. His wealth of knowledge amazed us; he gave us a wonderful introduction to Russia as we boarded the train and helped our immersion into the Easter Festival Tour experience.

While eating dinner, Maestro Gergiev stopped by our table to say hello. He was so friendly, welcoming, and warm.

We had a few hours before the concert to walk around Moscow and Red Square which was only a few blocks away from our hotel. As we began walking, we realized that many of the streets were closed for the holidays. The streets in Moscow are so wide, 8-10 lanes, that you have to go

We had a few hours before the concert to walk around Moscow and Red Square which was only a few blocks away from our hotel. As we began walking, we realized that many of the streets were closed for the holidays. The streets in Moscow are so wide, 8-10 lanes, that you have to go underground in order to cross them.

Keryn Wouden and Matt Honegger at St. Basil’s Basilica in Moscow.

Security was tight and many of the entrances/exits had been blocked off so the police could manage the flow of people. At first it seemed we might be trapped, but we eventually found our way through the maze and into Red Square.

Coming into the Russia, we had been told about the Eastern Orthodox Easter Festival; what we didn’t know, however, was that May 9 is “Victory Day,” a huge national holiday celebrating the end of World War II. The Square was decorated for the parade earlier that day with large banners covering buildings throughout the square. It was a festive atmosphere with people singing and celebrating on the square. The crowds would ebb and flow as people paused to sing along, and then went on their way.

Tchaikovsky

Eventually we looped around back to the hotel where we were sent directly to the Tchaikovsky Conservatory for the Mariinsky orchestra concert. It was a beautiful concert. The Gavrilin War Letters included a full choir, boys choir, and soloists. Denis Matsuev performed the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with ease, and was convinced to perform an encore before the end of the first half. They ended the concert with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, playing with immense passion and clarity. Matt Honegger put it the best when he said, “It feels unreal to be sitting here in this hall at the conservatory where Tchaikovsky attended, listening to his music and looking up at his portrait on the wall.”

Khristos voskrese! This is the Orthodox Easter greeting (it means “Christ is Risen!”). We arrived in Moscow on Easter morning, after spending our first night on the Moscow Easter Festival Train. Just from our hotel window, we could count some thirteen churches dotting the city’s skyline – and the town reverberated with the sounds of

Khristos voskrese! This is the Orthodox Easter greeting (it means “Christ is Risen!”). We arrived in Moscow on Easter morning, after spending our first night on the Moscow Easter Festival Train. Just from our hotel window, we could count some thirteen churches dotting the city’s skyline – and the town reverberated with the sounds of ringing bells. Nothing we saw in St. Petersburg prepared us for this cosmopolitan metropolis. Wide boulevards crisscross the city, which is itself a series of concentric rings. Aside from dozens of ancient and ornate churches, the city boasts monumental Stalinist architecture, grand nineteenth century buildings, such as the Bolshoi Theater, and enormous public squares. Although both the Kremlin and Red Square were closed for the holiday – and for Victory Day preparations – we were able to see the Kremlin Wall and the outside of St. Basil’s cathedral, a huge, candy-stripped onion domed church commissioned by Ivan the Terrible. We also saw Kazan Cathedral, on the edge of Red Square, and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Voistinu Voskrese!

Пасха – Orthodox Easter As I, Zack Ellis, prepared to pack my bags to travel with the Mariinsky Orchestra, I learned a lesson about the serendipity of life. In a small hamlet 4,500 miles from Moscow, a monastery called St. Tikhon’s keeps Russian Orthodox traditions alive in Pennsylvania. On May 5, I had the pleasure

As I, Zack Ellis, prepared to pack my bags to travel with the Mariinsky Orchestra, I learned a lesson about the serendipity of life. In a small hamlet 4,500 miles from Moscow, a monastery called St. Tikhon’s keeps Russian Orthodox traditions alive in Pennsylvania. On May 5, I had the pleasure of attending their midnight Easter service, and received an early dose of Russian culture.

Unlike western churches, Russian Orthodox still follows the Julian Calendar. This often results in their Easter being celebrated several weeks after the Catholic Easter. This year, it happened to fall on May 5. The service began shortly before midnight.

Everybody in attendance held a lit candle as we stood in the nave of the church. The lights were dimmed, and we gathered around a funeral shrine dedicated to Christ. The deacon spoke and the choir sang a somber chant before we formed a funeral procession outside. An iron bell tolled while we circled the church three times. Upon returning to the door, the deacon climbed the steps and issued a proclamation in Church Slavonic: “Христос воскресе! (Christ is risen!).” The congregation responds: “Воистину воскресе! (Truly, He is risen!).” This was repeated in Greek and English due to the makeup of the congregation. The choir sang and this joyous exchange took place several more times before we re-entered the church.

The nave had become bright and cheerful. In place of the funeral shrine were bright celebratory icons of the resurrection. Bathed in light, we could see the icons and imagery upon the iconostasis – the decorative wall between the nave and the sanctuary. The priest began the hymn, “Christ has Risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and has bestowed life upon those in the tombs,” and the congregation joyously sang this motif throughout the service. This progressed to the church’s traditional liturgy.

Many people fast for forty days prior to the holiday, giving up meat, eggs, and cheese in a test of self-discipline. Upon conclusion of the service, everybody met in a hall and we broke the fast. Meat and cheese abounded. The celebration continued through the night, and the congregation retired before sunrise.

Easter festivities often continue long after the holiday. Such is the case for the Mariinsky Easter Festival. Music and celebration transcend national boundaries. Although we ventured to the far side of the world, we still feel connected to home.

Привет! I’m Bridget Rodino, a music student at Northwestern University, traveling on the Easter Festival Train with WFMT’s Cydne Gillard, and a group of people from Chicago. Being on the Mariinsky Orchestra’s Easter Festival Train is a special experience. We all have compartments next to one another, just two cars behind Maestro Gergiev himself. Two

Привет! I’m Bridget Rodino, a music student at Northwestern University, traveling on the Easter Festival Train with WFMT’s Cydne Gillard, and a group of people from Chicago. Being on the Mariinsky Orchestra’s Easter Festival Train is a special experience. We all have compartments next to one another, just two cars behind Maestro Gergiev himself. Two cars in the other direction is the dining car. Every table is decorated with fresh flowers; intricate woodworking surrounds us.

Beautiful flowers every where we look!

Very spicy mustard

We have eaten a few meals on the train so far and each one has been delicious. Some of our favorite dishes have been the kasha, a white porridge breakfast staple, and borscht, a traditional Russian beet soup. One adventure was that the spicy mustard served with our breakfast-just a little bit and your eyes water.

Breakfast on board the Easter Festival Train

Sleeping on a train is surprisingly comfortable. Keryn and I are both studying music performance at Northwestern and love experiencing the life of a traveling musician. Most of our logisitics are arranged by Katya Gorbacheva from the Mariinsky Foundation of America. Her bright, energetic personality keeps us going throughout the day between the numerous destinations. Nina, our car’s personal stewardess, keeps the environment homey, waking us up in the morning asking, “Kafe or chey?” (Coffee or tea?) We love waking up to her warm smile.